The Worst U.S. Airports for International Travel This Summer
As summer approaches, millions of Americans plan international journeys while many foreigners look forward to visiting the United States. However, amidst this excitement, one persistent challenge looms—long wait times at immigration and customs checkpoints. A recent analysis by Upgraded Points reveals which U.S. airports will likely present the most delays for travelers this summer.
Mixed Signals for International Travel in 2025
Travel analysts have mixed forecasts for international travel in 2025. While some experts predict ongoing growth, others highlight challenges such as new trade and immigration policies, rising costs, and economic uncertainties. Regardless of these factors, travelers are preparing for busy summer months.
The hassle of clearing immigration and customs remains a significant source of frustration. These checkpoints can create considerable delays, especially during peak travel times. The Upgraded Points report utilized data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to identify airports with the longest customs wait times.
Average Wait Times: U.S. Citizens vs. Non-Citizens
Data from CBP shows a relatively manageable experience for U.S. citizens traveling internationally. More than 42% of all travelers in the summer of 2024 experienced wait times under 15 minutes, while only about 6.3% waited longer than an hour. However, non-citizens consistently faced longer delays, particularly during busy afternoon hours. At peak times, non-citizens averaged 36 minutes, in contrast to the 19.3 minutes for U.S. citizens.
Travelers arriving at U.S. airports between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. can expect the longest lines, adding to the importance of knowing which airports struggle the most with clearing passengers.
The Worst Airports for International Travel
According to the Upgraded Points findings, the following airports rank as the worst for experiencing long immigration lines this summer:
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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Average wait time: 31.8 minutes
Non-U.S. citizens face delays of 43.7 minutes, while U.S. citizens average 22.3 minutes. Notably, only 27.6% of international travelers at LAX waited less than 15 minutes. -
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Average wait time: 31.7 minutes
U.S. citizens average 27.3 minutes, compared to non-citizens at 40.3 minutes. ORD reported that 13.6% of travelers waited more than an hour, highlighting congestion during peak times. -
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Average wait time: 31.1 minutes
U.S. citizens average 28.6 minutes, while non-citizens wait about 38.1 minutes. Only 20.2% experienced wait times of 15 minutes or less.
These findings highlight that immigration wait times do not always correlate with airport traffic volume. While LAX and ORD are significant travel hubs, smaller airports like BNA can also struggle with processing efficiency.
The Best Airports for International Travel
In contrast, some smaller airports offer a markedly faster experience for international travel. These include:
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Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Average wait time: 3.5 minutes
A striking 92.4% of travelers waited less than 15 minutes, showcasing its efficiency. -
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Average wait time: 6.4 minutes
Over 93.7% of passengers cleared customs in under 15 minutes, with negligible delays for non-citizens. -
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Average wait time: 7.5 minutes
Here, almost 81% of travelers waited less than 15 minutes, indicating strong performance despite handling a high volume of international arrivals.
Strategies to Minimize Wait Times
For frequent international travelers, enrolling in Global Entry can expedite the immigration process. This Trusted Traveler Program allows preapproved, low-risk travelers to use dedicated kiosks, significantly reducing wait times upon arrival. The program costs $120 for a five-year membership and includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
Many travel credit cards also reimburse the Global Entry application fee, providing further incentive for eligible travelers.
Methodology
The analysis included data from CBP’s Airport Wait Times dataset, covering the summer travel season of 2024. Researchers calculated average wait times for international travelers at major U.S. airports, focusing on those that had sufficient data for comprehensive analysis.
As the summer travel season approaches, understanding which airports to avoid due to lengthy customs waits may help travelers plan their journeys more effectively. For further insights, refer to the complete report from Upgraded Points.
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